Long County tradition coming to end

The Siperlys have elaborately decorated their home and property for 20 years.

For 20 years, Nancy and Lee Siperly have decorated their Long County home during the holidays and invited locals inside for a look. However, taking care of and putting up countless decorations has become more and more difficult for the couple.“It’s just getting too hard to maintain,” Nancy said. “Some of the decorations are getting pretty old, and we really just want to enjoy the house more.”As a result, the Siperlys decided that this year will be the last time that they have their “Christmas house.” They just hope the word gets out. “… We just want as many people as possible to come out and see the house,” Lee said.The Siperlys started their “Christmas house” 20 years ago while living in Sarasota, Fla. They decorated that home for 12 years, and when they moved to Long County eight years ago, they continued the tradition in their two-story home on Rye Patch Road.The home is quite a marvel. The outside is decorated, along with every room inside. Sections of the house even have names: Toy Land, Pink Doll Room and Victorian Village. The “most important” display for the Siperlys is their nativity scene.The couple said their house is a tool to point people to the hope, love and peace of the season.The decorations come from items that are new, old, broken or recycled. Some are more than 40 years old.Long County residents have been coming to the house for years, but the Siperlys have also welcomed guests from Iowa, Texas, Pennsylvania, Canada, and even Germany.Debra Shouse, who viewed the house on a recent Saturday with her sons, said, “It’s just beautiful; they really have picked up the spirit of Christmas with what they have here.”The house is open from 6:30-9 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays this month. There is no admission charge.